I played and coached ice hockey for almost 40 years.
I’ve heard and given the advice of, “keep your head up!” a million times. It’s great advice, for several different reasons.
The first is for safety. I had a tendency to watch the puck on my stick as I skated, and then, BAM!!!. Next thing I knew, I’d be sprawled out on the ice, wondering what the license plate number was on that car that just ran me over.
Keep your head up, or you may get hurt.
The second is for opportunity. As I skated around staring at the puck on my stick, how was I supposed to see what was happening and, consequently, where the puck should to go next. How could we solve the puzzle of putting the puck into the net without having any idea of what was going on around us?
Keep your head up so you can see opportunity.
The third is for emotional support. After a tough loss or tough personal moment of failure, the “keep your head up” advice was a meant as a balm to the wounds. This is temporary. You should be optimistic about the next opportunity.
Keep your head up because tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities, and you’re taking all that you learned today into it.
Keep your head up.
